We only have one pair of eyes, so it’s important to keep them healthy throughout our lives. The eyes can provide information about the health of the rest of the body. For example, the eyes can indicate whether you have high blood pressure or diabetes. There are eye diseases, such as glaucoma, that have no symptoms in the early stages. The only way to know if you have a problem is to have an eye exam.
Dr. Kathryn A. Colby, Elisabeth J. Cohen, MD, professor of ophthalmology and department chair at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, provides insight into when you need more advanced eye care from a ophthalmologist and what you can expect during an eye exam.
Other than having my vision tested for a new pair of glasses, I have never seen an eye doctor. Can you help me understand the difference between types of ophthalmologists?
This can certainly be confusing, especially since the names of different ophthalmologists are similar. Ophthalmologists specialize in the medical and surgical care of eye diseases. To become an ophthalmologist, you must complete four years of medical school and a four-year residency in ophthalmology. Optometrists attend a four-year optometry school after completing college. Ophthalmologists and optometrists often work together as part of an eye care team. Optometrists perform eye exams, prescribe glasses or contact lenses, and can treat certain eye conditions. If you need eye surgery, such as for cataracts, or if you have a complex eye disease, such as eye inflammation, you need an ophthalmologist. Finally, opticians make and fit glasses, but do not treat eye diseases.
What does an eye exam involve, how long does it take and how often should I have it?
The frequency of eye exams depends on your age, family history, and pre-existing vision problems. Your doctor may recommend that you take one every year or two. During an eye exam, we measure your vision then examine your eyes from front to back, often requiring eye drops to enlarge your pupils. It may take 20 to 30 minutes for these drops to work and they may make you more sensitive to light for a while and blur your vision a little. The doctor will then meet with you to review the results and discuss a plan specific to your situation. A new patient’s eye exam with an ophthalmologist or optometrist can take two to three hours, but follow-up appointments are usually shorter.
How can I keep my eyes healthy?
It is important to wear protective eyewear during activities that may harm the eyes. Eye injuries are a common cause of preventable vision loss. Even something as simple as hammering a nail to hang a picture can cause serious eye injury. It is also important to control your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. A diet rich in healthy fats and green leafy vegetables (think salmon and spinach) is good for your eyes. And don’t smoke! Smoking is associated with several serious eye diseases, including macular degeneration. Wearing sunglasses can reduce the risk of sun damage to the surface of the eye. Regular checkups can detect eye disease early.
Are eye diseases hereditary?
Some eye diseases are hereditary, including glaucoma and macular degeneration. Others, like cataracts, affect almost everyone as they age. It is especially important to have regular eye exams if you have a family history of eye disease.
How to choose an ophthalmologist?
Your eyes are important, so take the time to find the right doctor to help you care for them. When you go for a visit, does the doctor take the time to address your concerns and put you at ease? NYU Langone offers one of the most qualified ophthalmology departments in the country and an excellent reputation for quality and safety. Invest the time to find an ophthalmologist who is best for you.
Kathryn A. Colby, MD, PhDis Elisabeth J. Cohen, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Colby is a cornea specialist, renowned for her leadership in the field and her research into an important eye disease called Fuchs dystrophy.
New York Post
